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Fusion's Jorge Ramos on what he learned covering the 2016 race

Colorado is setting a weed example for the rest of the world

On January 1, 2014, Colorado’s first marijuana dispensaries opened to the public, putting an end to a 75-year state ban. When citizens voted to amend Colorado’s constitution and legalize cannabis in all its forms, opponents attacked the decision with warnings of drug addiction and higher crime rates.

So what does Colorado really look like one year later?

“Things are going well, and the marijuana that was being consumed before–it still is—it’s just that people are buying it at stores,” says activist Mason Tvert. “They’re paying taxes, they know what they are getting, and they are doing it safely.”

Taxes, along with licenses and fees, earned the state around $80 million this fiscal year alone–more than a 200% jump from last year.

Colorado is setting a weed example for the rest of the world

On January 1, 2014, Colorado’s first marijuana dispensaries opened to the public, putting an end to a 75-year state ban. When citizens voted to amend Colorado’s constitution and legalize cannabis in all its forms, opponents attacked the decision with warnings of drug addiction and higher crime rates.

So what does Colorado really look like one year later?

“Things are going well, and the marijuana that was being consumed before–it still is—it’s just that people are buying it at stores,” says activist Mason Tvert. “They’re paying taxes, they know what they are getting, and they are doing it safely.”

Taxes, along with licenses and fees, earned the state around $80 million this fiscal year alone–more than a 200% jump from last year.